The
Noctuidae are sometimes known as owl moths, cutworms and armyworms.
The name of this family is derived from the fact that the nocturnal
species have eyes, which reflect light with an orange glow. This
is a large family made up of species with a diverse range of characteristics
and as such a general description is difficult. They are small to
large moths with a wingspan ranging in size from 10 to 170 millimetres
depending on the species. Most species are grey to brown in colour
often with dark and light areas on the forewings. Most species are
active at night and are commonly attracted to lights. However the
subfamily Agaristinae consist of brightly coloured day flying species.

The
larvae of noctuids often have tufts of short bristles and may be brightly
coloured. Most are foliage feeders and the voracious appetites of some
species have led to them becoming serious agricultural pest of a wide
variety of crops and earned them the names of armyworms and cutworms.

Subfamily:
Agaristinae

This
subfamily of moths consists of mostly medium sized species with bright
colouring, predominantly in black and orange. Species in this subfamily
are mostly day flying moths although one or two species are attracted
to lights at night. Most fly rapidly during the day feeding at flowers
and can be observed resting in the shade on the trunks of trees when temperatures
are high. The larvae are similarly brightly coloured and feed openly on
the food plants. Their colouring most likely denotes they are distasteful
to potential predators, such as birds and are therefore able to feed in
exposed situations.

Apina
calisto(pasture day moth)

This
species is found over a wide area of southern Australia from southern
Queensland to Victoria and Tasmania and across to South Australia and
Western Australia. Adults are active during the day and can be observed
flying close to the ground or low vegetation. Adults have a wingspan of
50 millimetres and show quite striking colouration on both wings and body.

Apina
calistoat
rest on leaf

Apina
calistocaterpillar

The
larvae are present during winter and spring feeding on broad-leafed herbaceous
plants such as clover and capeweed. When fully mature the larvae excavate
a vertical tunnel in the soil and pupates in a cell at the bottom.

Comocrus
behri:
Day flying moth

This
species is widely distributed across southern mainland Australia and can
often be seen during the day flying around mistletoe plants growing on Casuarina
and Eucalyptus species. The adults have a wingspan or about 58 millimetres
and are predominantly black with white bands or lines through the wings.
Males display what is known as 'hill topping' behaviour, where they fly
to the highest spot on the landscape so that females know to congregate
there for mating.

Comocrus
behricaterpillar

The
larvae of Comocrus behri are mainly black in colour with yellow or white
bands ringing their body and feed on mistletoe.

Subfamily:
Noctuinae

The
members of this subfamily are characterised by having stoutly built bodies
covered with long dense scales. The larvae, collectively known as cutworms
are also stoutly built and feed on a wide variety of low growing plants.
The name cutworm come from the habit the larvae have of cutting off plant
parts during the night which they drag back to their burrows in the soil
to feed on.

Agrotis
infusa

A
much more recognised species is Agrotis infusa, the bogong moths
which are common throughout southern Australia. These brown to
blackish moth have a wingspan of approximately 45 millimetres.
Adults undertake lengthy migrations to spend the summer months
congregated in caves and crevices of the Australian Alps. Many
are attracted to lights at night and often large numbers may enter
houses. In winter adults disperse to pastures across inland New
South Wales and Queensland to lay their eggs.

Agrotis
infusa

Many
moths congregated on a rock wall in the Snowy Mountains

Subfamily:
Catocalinae

This
subfamily of moths includes most of the largest species of Noctuids as
well as some of the smallest. Many adults in this group are known as fruit
piercing moths and are known to cause damage to citrus orchards. The larvae
are long and slender and move with a semi-looper motion similar to Geometridae
larvae. The larvae feed mostly on the leaves of shrubs and trees.

Donuca
spectabilis

This
large moth is predominantly brown in colour and has a wingspan of approximately
56 millimetres. It is widely distributed across central Australia and
occurs throughout Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western
Australia.

For
more noctuid species visit the Australian
Insect Common
Names
- Noctuidae section found here.